Mindfulness Room Pilot Program

"Mindfulness when delivered in a high-quality structured program can be beneficial for youth"

says Erica Sibinga, a professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Hi, I’m David Wachler, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Laura Gorosh for many years. I've watched her be a supportive mother, friend, and teacher in ways that stood out and inspired me. So, naturally, when I heard that Laura was bringing a new level of mental wellness to her students at University Middle and High School Academy, I jumped into action to support her.

The purpose of this Gofundme is to gift University Middle and High School Academy their own mindfulness room to home their already existing mindfulness program.

University Middle and High School Academy (The U) is a highly competitive, application-based public school located in Southfield, Michigan. The U is ranked second in the state of Michigan for college admission.

The U students are incredibly bright and talented; however, between the school culture of achievement and high performance, the pressures of standardized testing, the effect of social media on self-esteem, the COVID-19 pandemic, the social-political climate, and school shooting training, students’ anxiety and stress levels have increased immensely. This reality interferes with students’ ability to focus and learn and generates concerning health issues such as insomnia, fatigue, isolation, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.

When returning to in-person classes in the 2021-2022 school year, the U turned to mindfulness in hopes that it would be an antidote for rising stress and emotional dysregulation. These practices have helped students to feel more relaxed, connected, focused, and happy in their daily lives.

Our goal is to transform one of The U’s existing classrooms into a structured and safe mindfulness room, dedicated to practices such as meditation, yoga, mindful movement, breathing techniques, tapping, conflict resolution, etc. The objective is to reduce students’ stress, restore their emotional balance, and support their demanding academic program.

The U, focuses on preparing their students for higher education, and with a mindfulness room on campus, the students can continue developing increased emotional intelligence, and be better prepared to succeed when faced with challenges during and after school.

My passion for this project derives from my beloved family mentors, who transformed my life by passing down their mindfulness and meditation practices. Our family has been meditating regularly since the 1960's.

I ask humbly, to please join the movement and consider making a donation. Even a small amount will go a long way in supporting the children who will shape our future!

This project isn't just about one room, its about the future of our nation. We optimistically see a chance to be a kind, understanding, happy & successful country, one that has a good standard of living, not just for the wealthy but for everyone! It starts with giving kids and young adults the tools to be resilient through life, through trauma, the natural way!

With gratitude,

David Wachler